Amanda Owen, known as the Yorkshire Shepherdess, has responded angrily to criticism over a farm video that showed her son restraining a ewe by its horn. The 51-year-old mother of nine, star of Channel 4's Our Farm Next Door, insists her critics misunderstand farming realities.
Speaking on the Country Life podcast, Owen rejected claims that her children should not eat lamb raised on the farm. 'It's the opposite to what they think,' she said, arguing that knowing the animal had a good life and humane slaughter 'doesn't leave any bad taste in your mouth.'
Owen criticised viewers who demand both sanitised content and reality, saying 'you can't have it both ways.' She noted that while shows like Clarkson's Farm have sparked interest in farming, armchair critics remain too quick to judge.
The backlash followed an Instagram post showing her 21-year-old son Reuben holding a ewe by its horn. Comments included 'absolutely disgusting' and 'animals are treated with respect.' However, supporters defended Owen, with one writing: 'Too many folk commenting who haven't got a clue how farming works.'
